For the Girls
We are angry because we have a legitimate reason to be
There’s this feeling I have been feeling after going to see a band. I used to feel this emotion intensely when I was a teenager. This past month I have gone to a handful of different shows. Only two of the handful of shows was a woman and/or non-binary. Their music is completely different than the rest of the people I saw recently. But ANYWAYS, that feeling I got when I was teenager was annoyance and anger. Every person that I saw up on that stage was a man.
All of these indie-rock-punk- whatever the heck music- bands were all composed of men. Where are the women? Why are we still not allowing them space and time? I know you are probably saying in your heads right now something like, “ well, Carrie I can list 5 all women bands right now.” Listen, I know they are there. They exist, but you have to admit these specific genres are still male dominated.
No hate to any of these bands I have seen this month and I am mostly talking to the more punky sounding ones- but when I stand there listening to their songs, hearing this specific sounds that emmulate an angry or tiredness of something I can’t help but think this sort of music is not for you, man. Meant literally. I genuinely think that women and any other minority can only play this kind of music. As a man, as a cis-man disregard other specifics, as a man what do you have to yell out and sing about? What difficulty have you had to face? NONE.
I know theres been an increase of punk bands where it is mainly made up of just women, but also at the same time, it is not enough for me.
I would love to go more into depth with this, but I can’t right now. Maybe, if you want to hear more of my babble, let’s talk about it over a drink.
Happy Halloween everyone. Thank you for coming to my most Ted-talkiest post yet. As much I feel so passionately about this topic, I feel like I cannot find the right words to explain my frustration or hit anymore points.
Now For Some of My Favorites ATM:
A playlist of mine I made when I was 19
Listen, after the 26th of September I was very angry or needed angry girl music to process something I went through. So, I revisited this playlist I made of ONLY women bands or woman fronted bands. enjoy the music that 19 year old me loved.
Saturday Night (2024) by Jason Reitman
In my honest opinion, this specific letterboxd review by Mr. Torres says basically how I feel about the film. Jesus, can I not explain in my own words my feelings? goodness…
Me and The Girls - Amyl and The Sniffers
On October 25th the band released their third studio album titled Cartoon Darkness; just in time for when I am back in this moment of a punk-ier sounding music intake. Funny little fact for you, I found this band on Tik Tok. The song Jerkin was on my FYP and I was immediately obsessed. This specific song I am sharing is fun and makes me feel good.
* EDIT: actually I did not just find this band this year. Apparently, on my playlist I shared above there is a song from the band’s first album. I created the playlist when I was 19, but added to it over time.
The Raising Cane’s Sauce
Listen, never in the past 10 years have I tried this. I went to Canes late one night this past weekend after a halloween party. My friends and I were hungry and I finally got to try this bizarre coloured sauce. It’s good. Is it just basically thousand island dressing? Probably!
Thank you again for returning and making it this far. I wish you a happy halloween. Remember to drink water, tie your shoes, and seek out and support more women musicians.